Things to do in Chinatown Singapore for amazing experience

Singapore Chinatown is a traveler’s delight. The area is rich in history with a wide variety of shopping including electronics, locally made wares, art, craft and imported souvenirs. Apart from shopping, China Town also offers a wide array of dining options, spa services and massage services. For your convenience, we have compiled the best things to do in Chinatown Singapore in the list below.

Things to do in Chinatown Singapore

Below is our listing of best things to do in Chinatown, which has something for everyone.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

The temple building is ornate and well kept with beautiful examples of the art and artifacts of the Buddhist faith. There are 4 levels and a rooftop area with an outdoor garden and a huge ornate prayer wheel that is several metres tall. No photography is permitted on the level that houses the Buddha Tooth relic.

Entry is free but you can make a donation. It is easily accessed by public transport, taxis or the Hop on/ Hop off buses that run frequently. This is a truly peaceful place and well worth a visit.

Bath Culture Foot Therapy

When you talk about awesome things to do in Chinatown, you can never ignore its vibrant and soothing Spas. Bath culture is a popular spa in Chinatown. Ambiance is quiet and beautiful. The music is soothing and the masseurs are highly professional. Best part about this spa is that you do not need an appointment at all. Prices are reasonable too. We highly rate this place in our things to do in Chinatown list.

Chinatown Heritage Centre

The Chinatown Heritage Centre opens daily from 9.00am-8.00pm and costs $10.00 per adult and $6.00 per child. This place is a blast to the past- full of memories and untold stories of yesteryear. Here you will witness the desperate hope of many migrants risking their lives to embark on an arduous journey, the underground practices of gambling, opium smoking, prostitution and secret societies. The galleries mix traditional artifacts with multimedia presentations, images and narrative clips that portray the struggles and successes of the Chinese migrants who settled in Singapore.

Sri Mariamman Temple

Our list of best things to do in Chinatown would never be completed without this place. This is one of the best Hindu temples in Singapore. It is located very near to the China Town MRT station. The deities here are beautiful and temple appeared to be very well maintained. And blissful during prayer timings. It is decorated with colorful Hindu, religious painting on the walls and ceilings.

Tea Chapter: This tea shop has a very unique layout. Upon entering this neat tea shop, you are asked which type of ceremony you want. The choices are:
a. Japanese (sitting on the floor)
b. Korean (low tables)
c. Chinese (regular tables).

To enjoy the tea ceremony, you go up a wooden staircase, leaving your shoes and sandals in a cupboard at the top. You can also choose what types of tea to sample. They have a guide who will explain to you what he was doing with the teas, benefits of each type and why people like them, how to brew tea properly and how to pour tea with just three fingers.

Sago Street (Street Of The Dead)

This street is also called the Street of the Dead because of its ‘death houses’.These were funeral parlors on the upper floors. The operators would also arrange the funeral services for the deceased on the ground floor. In1840’s, one could find a large number of brothels over here too. Towards the end of the twentieth century, the prostitutes abandoned the area. Sago Street then underwent a massive transformation. It is located in the heart of Chinatown, very close to a Buddhist temple. The road itself is very colorful, with terraced houses, countless stalls, fruit shops etc. This road is approximately 200 metres long. Bargaining can be done at really low prices.

The Olde Cuban

Situated on the second floor of a shophouse in Chinatown, this is a Cuban style bar. Inside you will find a range of vintage whiskey and a full range of specialty cigars. It has an impressive cigar and whiskey selection. The Olde Cuban is also the official home of Laphroaig Whisky.

Thian Hock Keng Temple

This temple was built by early Chinese immigrants to Singapore, dedicated to sea goddess Ma Chu. They built it to show their gratitude after surviving the long sea voyage. It is considered to be the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore. It was built in 1821 in a very simple style. However, the temple that stands today, was built a few decades later and is a masterpiece of stone columns, wooden carvings and tile mosaics. The unique attribute of the architecture is that it was built in the traditional south Chinese style, without any nails.This temple is truly an architectural wonder!